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Further growth for Spanish exports

In 2016, exports of Spanish pork rose by 18% compared to the previous year, to 1.47 million tonnes. This is the third consecutive year of strong growth in Spanish exports. The increase comes as a result of high levels of demand in China and 5% higher production in Spain. The average unit price of shipments in euro terms remained stable at €2.15/kg, meaning the value of shipments was also up by 18%, to €3.16 billion.

Shipments of fresh/frozen pork from Spain to the rest of the EU grew by 4% to 919,800 tonnes in 2016. Within this, France remained the main recipient, however volumes were back by 14% at 228,100 tonnes. Trade was up 7% to Italy but was also lower to Portugal by 15%. The bulk of the growth was in exports to other EU countries which were up by 22%. EU shipments accounted for 63% of Spanish pork exports but this is down from over 80% just three years earlier. Sales to the UK increased by 14% for the year as a whole. However, growth was much stronger in the middle of the year with the weakening of the pound appearing to have an effect towards the end of the year. This is likely to put pressure on Spanish shipments to the UK in the first half of 2017, but higher forecast supplies in Spain in this period is also likely to have an effect on shipments.

Non-EU trade continued to be the main driver of growth in 2016, versus a year earlier, with exports up 52% to 550,000 tonnes. This was largely driven by a 96% increase in shipments to China, while Japan and South Korea saw strong but more modest growth of 12% and 37% year-on-year respectively.